Sacramento Republic FC Hire former MLS, PL and World Cup Player Simon Elliott as Head Coach

By Republic FC Staff, 02/01/18, 9:45AM PST

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The former New Zealand National Team captain previously served as Republic FC Academy coach.

Sacramento Republic FC announced the hiring of Simon Elliott as head coach. Elliott will serve in his new role effective immediately as the club prepares for the 2018 season and commences training camp.

“Simon is not only one of the most accomplished individuals I have had the opportunity to work with but also one of the most humble,” said Republic FC Chairman and CEO Kevin Nagle. “His credentials at all levels of soccer speak for themselves, but it is his work ethic and vision for our club that have given me full confidence in him as our Head Coach.”

“I am delighted to be continuing with the Republic FC,” said Republic FC Head Coach Simon Elliott. “My passion for the sport and my role with the club comes from working with players everyday. It is interesting and challenging, but also immensely rewarding. Taking on this more senior role as we build towards MLS creates an opportunity for all of us, including our focus and success in our current season. I am grateful to Kevin, Todd and the entire club and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of Republic FC.”

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Simon Elliott has succeeded at all levels of professional soccer. Elliott began his career as a youth in New Zealand before moving to the United States in 1997 to play with the Stanford Cardinal. The forward played in 45 matches for Stanford over two seasons, scoring 13 goals and adding 12 assists. In 1999, Simon joined the LA Galaxy to launch his MLS career.

In between his time in MLS, Elliott made the move to Premier League in 2006 where he joined storied club Fulham. The midfielder played three seasons with Fulham before returning to the U.S. and MLS club Earthquakes in 2009. Elliott retired from his professional playing career in 2011 after his final season with Chivas USA. In total, Elliott made 220 appearances in MLS for four different clubs - LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew, San Jose Earthquakes and Chivas USA. He scored 11 goals, but was known more for his passing, with 56 assists in his MLS career, 26th-most all time in MLS history.

Elliott was also a regular with the New Zealand Men’s National Team throughout his playing career, making 69 caps for the All Whites. Elliott played a critical role in leading New Zealand to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, only the second time the country had played in the competition after the team’s first appearance in 1982. New Zealand went undefeated in the 2010 World Cup, drawing all three of their group stage matches and falling just one point short of advancing to the Round of 16.

Following his playing career, Elliott transitioned into scouting and recruitment, serving as Chivas USA’s technical director in 2012. He transitioned to youth development by coaching LA Galaxy South Bay before moving to Sacramento in 2014 to pursue his graduate degree in cultural studies of sports and education at UC Berkeley.

In 2015, Elliott joined Republic FC’s Academy where he served as the U-15/16 and U-17 head coach, while assisting with the other Academy teams. Under his coaching, the U-15/16 and U-17 teams advanced to the knockout, or group stage, both seasons and Elliott was named USSDA Western Conference U-15/16 Coach of the Year for the 2016-2017 season. Seven Academy players to date have been called up to national teams under the coaching of Elliott.

Sacramento Republic FC began training camp on Feb. 1 and will host their first 2018 friendly on Feb. 15 against MLS side Seattle Sounders FC followed by MLS newcomers Los Angeles Football Club on Feb. 25. To view the complete schedule and learn more visit SacRepublicFC.com.